by Calculated Risk on 7/30/2014 09:48:00 AM

A few graphs based on the GDP report (including revisions).

The first graph shows the contribution to percent change in GDP for residential investment (RI) and state and local governments since 2005. 

This shows the huge slump in RI during the housing bust (blue), followed by the unprecedented period of state and local austerity (red) not seen since the Depression.

Click on graph for larger image.

State and local government spending bounced back in Q2, and I expect state and local governments to continue to make a positive contribution to GDP in 2014.

RI (blue) added to GDP growth for a few years, before subtracting in Q4 2013 and Q1 2014.    RI bounced back in Q2, and since RI is still very low, I expect RI to make a positive contribution to GDP for some time.

The second graph shows residential investment as a percent of GDP.

Residential Investment as a percent of GDP has bottomed, but it still below the levels of previous recessions - and I expect RI to continue to increase for the next few years.

I'll break down Residential Investment into components after the GDP details are released this coming week. Note: Residential investment (RI) includes new single family structures, multifamily structures, home improvement, broker's commissions, and a few minor categories.

The third graph shows non-residential investment in structures, equipment and "intellectual property products".

I'll add details for investment in offices, malls and hotels next week.

Overall this was a solid report.  Private investment rebounded in Q2, and that is the key to more growth going forward.